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RI H7384
Bill
Status
1/28/2026
Primary Sponsor
David Place
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AI Summary
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Amends Rhode Island's Administrative Procedures Act (Section 42-35-15) to eliminate judicial deference to state agency interpretations of law when courts review contested cases on appeal.
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Requires courts to independently decide all questions of law, including interpretation of constitutional provisions, statutes, and agency-adopted rules, without deferring to the agency's prior determinations.
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Applies specifically to proceedings brought by or against regulated parties challenging agency decisions.
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Maintains existing standards for factual review, where courts still cannot substitute their judgment for the agency's weighing of evidence on factual questions.
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Takes effect immediately upon passage.
Legislative Description
Amends the administrative procedures act and provides that on the review of an agency decision by a court upon appeal, the court shall decide questions of law without deference to any previous determination or interpretation of the law by the agency.
State Affairs And Government
Last Action
Committee postponed at request of sponsor (02/05/2026)
2/3/2026